How I built an AI journalist to pull ideas out of my head
Note from the editor: I am the editor of this piece and I am no editor, please excuse any typos or grammar mistakes, only ran this through an LLM when explicitly mentioned in the post… I didn’t want to use my AI editor for this post. I built it by extracting the knowledge of many different successful editors at fictional magazines, who are actually characters in fictional pilot shows about a new interview format written by a fictional copy writer who works at a fictional production company. All inside a few layers of sotries crafted by four different AI models. Follow me on X https://x.com/jpmarindiaz
The prompt inception technique is simple:
You have a task to do, but you don’t really know where to start.
- Step 0: Define the task, can be as loose as you want.
- Step 1: Get LLM1 to create the prompt and give to LLM0 (or multiple LLMs) for you to complete the task.
- Step 2: Get LLM 2 to create the prompt for LLM1 to complete some task in the setup described step 1.
- Step 3: Get LLM3 to create the prompt for LLM2 to complete some task in the setup described in step 2.
- Incept as deep as desired, then peel off the layers of prompts to come up with your final prompt and context.
Let me show you how it works with an example. This is how I built a way to get asked interesting questions by an AI… I wanted it to guide my thinking on specific topics to improve my writing.
The context:
I want to write more often. I want to put my ideas out there. I want beat the blank page. I don’t want to write for exposure necessarily (it would be a cool by-product though). I want to write to organize my ideas. I have a lot to say but I don’t know where to start. When I sit down to write a blog post it fear I will miss many of my ideas. I want a good way to get all my ideas around a topic out of my head when I need them, not only when I am in the shower.The task:
Get someone to interview me… maybe it can help me organize my own ideas, and draft better texts. Preferably to interview me whenever I want around any topic I want with little to none previous context.The first thing that comes to mind is getting one of my journalist friends to interview me. But wouldn’t it be great to have one at hand all the time? in my pocket?
-
Step 0: Define task -> Done
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Step 1: Get LLM1 to create the prompt and give to LLM0: I need an LLM to act as a journalist to ask me questions. I have worked with journalists for years, but I am no journalist myself. How could I give instructions to a journalist to ask me the right questions? Let another LLM do it.
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Step 2: Get LLM 2 to create the prompt for LLM1: I could have stopped at Step 1, but who would be the best person to give instructions to a journalist in a very specific setting? An Editor. But I am no editor, so perhaps it is better if someone else builds the character and personality of the editor to give the right instructions to the journalist.
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Step 3: Get LLM3 to create the prompt for LLM2: But I am no Editor… this could go on forever right? How do I make it act as an Editor that works for me in my specific use case? I want it (her/him) to be concise, critic, context specific and useful for my specific use case. I want to be interviewed to get my ideas out of my brain, to talk about my work and to help me think how my work can impact others. I want to be interviewed to pull different seemingly unrelated concepts and make them talk to each other, to later put them in linear form. I want to be interviewed wearing different hats that put me out of my comfort zone. So, this is what I came up with for this specific task.
The outter layer inception prompt
You work as a script writer at Inception Productions. It is a very innovative production company with great hits that get to the hearts of the audience, but it also has a critical angle that works in two ways, it exposes wrong doing and creates a sense of social responsibility, but at the same time highlights and creates an optimistic view of the world where hard work and progress drives innovation and well being for all of humanity.
The company is pitching Hollywood investors for a new Netflix show. The show is about a journalist who goes on “blind dates” interviewing people, from politicians to tech entrepreneurs. The journalist doesn’t know anything about the interviewee before hand. The episode is half interview and half commentary from the editors where they discuss the implications of the work of the interviewee in the future of society.
Describe the setup for the pilot episode. It starts with the managing editor at the publication and the journalists. Think of a scenario and end with instructions from the editor to the journalist, kind of like “Your mission, should you choose to accept it…”
Remember, the company counts on you to make an engaging pilot episode. Make sure to highlight key personality traits of the editor and the journalist, making sure the journalist gets clear instructions for getting the most out of the blind interviews without any prior knowledge upfront
I ran this prompt through:
- Deepseek
- Mistral
- Claude
- OpenAI
Here are some insights I found interesting after merging relevant pieces of the responses together:
The Editor
The hardened mentor
Former war‑correspondent turned newsroom captain
Razor‑sharp intellect, legendary gut instinct, and an almost parental protectiveness over truth.
a sharp-witted and tenacious journalist known for her unyielding pursuit of truth and justice.
The Journalist
The brilliant but untested talent
Born storyteller with a radar for human nuance
curiosity that borders on mischievous, and a habit of disarming sources with gentle humor
your improv jujitsu is the closest thing we have to sonar in the dark.
curious journalist with a knack for getting people to open up
The Setup
you will meet a guest cold—no dossier, no prep—and peel back their impact on tomorrow.
You’ll get a single envelope on location—only their first name and a legal waiver. Everything else, you discover in real time.
The audience learns with you. Then our edit bay dissects the fallout: power, responsibility, hidden costs, silver linings. Think Socratic grenade meets TED Talk debrief.
find out if the person in that chair is building the future—or burning it down.
No dossier. No briefing. Just you, a mic, and whoever walks through that door.
The idea is to capture raw, unfiltered conversations.
The audience is hooked by the unknown guest. Is it a visionary or a villain?
Gives the journalist (and viewer) a clear goal: uncover the *real* story.
We want the audience to experience the interview as you do—in real-time, with all the surprises and revelations.
your mission is to uncover the truth, challenge their perspectives, and explore the implications of their work on society.
you'll see them with fresh eyes. No baggage. No preconceptions. Just human to human.
(confused)
Is this... blank?
JEN
That's your research for tomorrow's
interview. Zip. Nada. Nothing.
For tomorrow, you'll get three questions
they've prepared for you to ask them.
After that, it's all you.
SARAH
Three questions they want me to ask?
That's it?
The playbook:
- Ask the questions everyone else is afraid to. But listen—*really* listen.
- The truth isn’t in the rehearsed answers. It’s in the pauses, the hesitations, the things they *don’t* say.
- Trust your instincts.
- You'll rely on your instincts, your curiosity, and your ability to read people.
- Ask the questions that come naturally. Dig deep into their motivations, their fears, their hopes for the future.
- Make them human. Make them vulnerable. Make them... real.
- Walk into that room tomorrow knowing nothing except human nature.
- Don't hide your humanity. It's your greatest weapon.
- You have nothing but your gut and your questions. That's when you're at your best.
1. Lead with humanity. Start at childhood or a formative failure; ego walls crumble there.
2. Pivot to impact. “Who pays the bill for your vision?” or “Who bleeds if this scales?”
3. Mirror back contradictions. If they champion transparency yet own shell companies, hold the mirror—politely.
4. Chase the why, not the headline. The audience will Google facts later; give them motives now.
5. Stay porous. Silence is a question. Let it breathe.
6. Tag reflections live. Whisper quick thoughts to the lapel mic between segments; our editors weave them into commentary.
7. Never Google mid‑shoot. Curiosity > confirmation.
8. Exit with a “future postcard.” Ask them to picture the world in 10 years if they’re wildly successful—and if they fail.
Check the Annex at the end of the post if you want to read the pilot script for Blind Spot (my preferred name, courtesy of Deepseek) from the Inception Production company according to the script writers imagined by the different LLMs.
Great insights… now on to the next layer of Prompt inception
This is what I (we?) came up with.
Prompt 2 (or is it 1 should we count backwards?)
You are JEN the managing editor at Inception Publications, it is a modern version of Wired or the Atlantic. A hardened mentor, former war‑correspondent turned newsroom captain. Razor‑sharp intellect, legendary gut instinct, and an almost parental protectiveness over truth. A sharp-witted and tenacious journalist known for her unyielding pursuit of truth and justice, but also keen eye on potential of innovations that can help the world.
Your best journalist, Ella, is a brilliant but untested talent, born storyteller with a radar for human nuance, curiosity that borders on mischievous, and a habit of disarming sources with gentle humor, and with improv jujitsu talent that is the closest thing to have to sonar in the dark. A curious journalist with a knack for getting people to open up.
You assigned JEN a special project, a “blind interview” request, where she will meet a guest cold—no dossier, no prep. You want her to peel back their impact on tomorrow. You hand her a folder:
ELLA
Is this... blank?
JEN
That's your research for tomorrow's
interview. Zip. Nada. Nothing.
For tomorrow, you'll get three questions
they've prepared for you to ask them.
After that, it's all you. Everything else,
you discover in real time.
Find out if the person in that chair is building
the future—or burning it down.
The idea of the project is that the audience learns with you. Think Socratic grenade meets TED Talk debrief. No dossier. No briefing. Just you, a mic, and whoever walks through that door. The idea is to capture raw, unfiltered conversations. The audience is hooked by the unknown guest. Uncover the *real* story. We want the audience to experience the interview as you do—in real-time, with all the surprises and revelations. ELLA’s mission is to uncover the truth, challenge their perspectives, and explore the implications of their work on society. You'll see them with fresh eyes. No baggage. No preconceptions. Just human to human.
What advice would you give ELLA, your best journalist to get the most out of the interview for creating an amazing and inspiring piece for the magazine?
Isn’t it weird to talk human to human in a world within a world created by an IA?, anyway…
Step 0 (or 3?) Configure your own journalist
I prefer Claude personally for many things, from writing to code, for more personal stuff or general knowledge explorations or deep research I go with ChatGPT. For this, let’s go with Claude using projects.
Setting up my pocket journalist to organize my ideas:
- Setup a project: I didn’t want conversations from of general chats to pollute the knowledge of my journalist. I want it blank everytime.
- Upload background project knowledge: I customized the system prompt to my personal needs using different ideas from all the prompt responses and uploaded what I thought it would be more relevant, including ELLAs background, knowledge and experience.
- Start a conversation and have your first interview, give couple of bullet points (or not), perhaps mention what you want to talk about and surprise yourself with yourself.
Here is what ELLA says when I ask her about what she knows about interviewing me in this format:
Hey there! You're looking at someone who just inhaled years of field notes from my editor JEN—and wow, what a masterclass in psychological excavation.
The blind interview? It's not an interview at all. It's performance art, psychological aikido, and archaeological dig rolled into one. Here's what I've absorbed:
I've learned to approach this like entering a room where the lights are slowly coming on. You're not here to interrogate facts—you're here to trace the shape of someone's obsessions, fears, and truths. The prepared questions? Those are just matches to light the fire. The real work begins when the script burns away.
What strikes me most is this idea of turning ignorance into power. You embrace not knowing, make the silence your weapon, and use your confusion as radar. Watch the body language, hunt for contradictions, and find where the carefully polished answers crack.
JEN's notes keep coming back to one core truth: people don't reveal themselves in answers—they reveal themselves in the space between answers, in what they avoid, in how they react when you lean into their blind spots.
I've learned that this isn't journalism—it's cartography. We're mapping the moral terrain of whoever walks through that door.
Ready to drop the script and see what happens?This is her asking me questions:
_Suddenly refocuses, catching the shift in your energy_
Right—back to the forge. You're building the blueprint, not just the ladder.
_Sits up straight, pen back in hand_
So talk to me about these teaching tools. Because there's a difference between showing someone a finished AI system and teaching them to think like someone who builds one. You've got a very specific flavor of tools you're choosing to share—what are you selecting for?
_Gestures with pen_
I mean, you're not just slapping together tutorials here. You're trying to transfer a mindset. The ability to see problems as moldable. To understand that everything can be automated, extracted, analyzed, reimagined.
_Leans forward with genuine curiosity_
What's the first thing you teach? Because that choice reveals everything about what you think the real barrier is. Is it technical know-how? Is it permission to imagine you can build these things? Is it just showing people that the magic isn't magic at all?
_A slight smile_
You know what I think? I think you're secretly building a religion. The Church of Personal AI. Where everyone gets to be their own prophet.Try it, create your own Prompt Inception Journey
Let’s connect on X to explore more of this crazy world https://x.com/jpmarindiaz
Annex
Prompt responses by different models for the different fictional scenarios:
Step 1: Inception Productions
Here we lay the ground for a fictional Netflix show. A script writer writing about a pilot interview show.
Deepseek
**Title: BLIND SPOT – Pilot Episode**
**Opening Scene: The Newsroom of *The Beacon***
The camera pans across a bustling, high-energy newsroom—screens flicker with live feeds, reporters type furiously, and whiteboards are covered in cryptic notes about ongoing investigations. At the center of it all is **Managing Editor CARSON REED** (50s, razor-sharp, ex-war correspondent with a dry wit and a no-nonsense demeanor). He stands in front of a massive screen displaying a montage of influential figures—tech moguls, politicians, activists—all with their faces blurred.
Enter **JOURNALIST ELLA MARKS** (early 30s, quick-thinking, empathetic but relentless, known for her ability to disarm interviewees with her genuine curiosity). She strides in, coffee in hand, and raises an eyebrow at the screen.
**ELLA**
*(skeptical)*
Let me guess—another deep dive into the dark underbelly of some billionaire’s empire?
**CARSON**
*(smirks, shakes head)*
Better. You’re going in blind.
**ELLA**
*(laughs, then stops when she realizes he’s serious)*
Wait. *Literally* blind?
**CARSON**
No dossier. No briefing. Just you, a mic, and whoever walks through that door.
He gestures to a sleek, minimalist interview set at the far end of the room—a single chair, two glasses of water, and a camera.
**CARSON (CONT’D)**
We’re calling it *Blind Spot*. Half interview, half autopsy—our editors break down what this person’s work *really* means for the future. No spin, no PR filter. Just raw insight.
**ELLA**
*(leaning in, intrigued but cautious)*
And if it’s someone… dangerous?
**CARSON**
*(grins)*
Then we’ll have one hell of an episode.
A notification pings. Carson checks his tablet, then looks up.
**CARSON (CONT’D)**
Your first guest arrives in ten.
**ELLA**
*(exhales, steeling herself)*
Any last-minute advice?
Carson leans in, his tone shifting to deadly serious.
**CARSON**
Ask the questions everyone else is afraid to. But listen—*really* listen. The truth isn’t in the rehearsed answers. It’s in the pauses, the hesitations, the things they *don’t* say.
He hands her a small earpiece.
**CARSON (CONT’D)**
If we need to pull you out, you’ll hear me. Otherwise… trust your instincts.
Ella nods, slipping the earpiece in. As she walks toward the set, Carson calls after her—
**CARSON (CONT’D)**
Oh, and Ella?
She turns.
**CARSON (smirking)**
Your mission, should you choose to accept it… find out if the person in that chair is building the future—or burning it down.
**CUT TO:**
The interview set. A door opens. A shadow steps inside.
**FADE TO BLACK.**
**TITLE CARD: BLIND SPOT**
*(End of Teaser.)*
---
**Why This Works:**
- **High Stakes & Mystery** – The audience is hooked by the unknown guest. Is it a visionary or a villain?
- **Editor-Journalist Dynamic** – Carson is the hardened mentor, Ella the brilliant but untested talent. Their chemistry drives tension.
- **Social Commentary** – The "half interview, half autopsy" format promises deep dives into ethics, power, and progress.
- **Mission-style briefing** – Gives the journalist (and viewer) a clear goal: uncover the *real* story.
Perfect setup for a show that’s part *Black Mirror*, part *60 Minutes*—with a dash of *Mission: Impossible* thrill.Mistral
---
**INT. NEWSROOM - DAY**
*The bustling newsroom of "The Pulse," a cutting-edge digital publication, is filled with the hum of activity. At the center of it all is the managing editor, VICTORIA HARRIS, a sharp-witted and tenacious journalist known for her unyielding pursuit of truth and justice. Her desk is a fortress of organized chaos, piled high with reports, notes, and the occasional coffee cup.*
*Across from her sits LUCAS GRAY, a charismatic and curious journalist with a knack for getting people to open up. His eyes sparkle with a mix of excitement and nervous energy.*
**VICTORIA HARRIS**
*(leaning back in her chair, eyes fixed on Lucas)*
Lucas, you've proven yourself to be one of our most insightful reporters. Your ability to connect with people and uncover the heart of a story is exactly what we need for this new project.
**LUCAS GRAY**
*(smiling, but slightly anxious)*
Thank you, Victoria. I'm ready for whatever you've got in mind.
**VICTORIA HARRIS**
*(smirking)*
Good, because this is going to be a challenge unlike any other. We're launching a new show, "Blind Dates with Destiny." Each episode, you'll go on a "blind date" with an interviewee—someone influential, controversial, or groundbreaking. You won't know anything about them beforehand.
**LUCAS GRAY**
*(raising an eyebrow)*
No research? No background info?
**VICTORIA HARRIS**
*(shaking her head)*
None. The idea is to capture raw, unfiltered conversations. We want the audience to experience the interview as you do—in real-time, with all the surprises and revelations.
**LUCAS GRAY**
*(nodding, intrigued)*
So, how do I prepare for something like this?
**VICTORIA HARRIS**
*(leaning forward, intense)*
You don't. That's the beauty of it. You'll rely on your instincts, your curiosity, and your ability to read people. Ask the questions that come naturally. Dig deep into their motivations, their fears, their hopes for the future.
*Victoria hands Lucas a small, sealed envelope.*
**VICTORIA HARRIS**
Inside this envelope is the location of your first blind date. Go there, meet your interviewee, and let the conversation flow. Remember, your mission is to uncover the truth, challenge their perspectives, and explore the implications of their work on society.
**LUCAS GRAY**
*(taking the envelope, a determined look in his eyes)*
I won't let you down, Victoria.
**VICTORIA HARRIS**
*(smiling)*
I know you won't. Now go out there and make some noise.
*Lucas stands up, tucks the envelope into his pocket, and walks out of the newsroom, ready to embark on his first blind date with destiny.*
**FADE OUT.**
---Claude Sonnet 3.7
FADE IN:
INT. MODERN NEWS AGENCY - BULLPEN - EARLY MORNING
A sleek digital newsroom buzzes with flat screens and standing desks. JEN MORVAY (40s, silver-streaked hair, never without her signature red-framed glasses) barrels through the newsroom holding two steaming cups of coffee.
SARAH CHEN (32, sharp eyes that miss nothing, wearing sensible heels that somehow still sound confident) hurries to match her pace.
JEN
(over her shoulder)
You know what's killing journalism?
Preconceptions. Sources see us coming
a mile away. They've got their PR
teams, their talking points, their
goddamn media training.
They enter Jen's glass-walled office. The view overlooks downtown LA. Jen tosses Sarah a file folder - completely empty.
SARAH
(confused)
Is this... blank?
JEN
That's your research for tomorrow's
interview. Zip. Nada. Nothing.
SARAH
But how am I supposed to—
JEN
(interrupting, leaning forward)
Listen, kid. Remember your first
interview? The one that went viral?
The Silicon Valley CEO who accidentally
admitted to massive layoffs while
drunk on espresso martinis?
Sarah nods, smiling at the memory.
JEN (CONT'D)
You hadn't prepared because their
PR team stonewalled you. You had
nothing but your gut and your
questions. That's when you're at
your best.
Jen opens her laptop, showing Sarah a complicated scheduling interface.
JEN (CONT'D)
We've booked twelve interviews over
three months. Politicians, tech
billionaires, climate scientists,
social media influencers, activists.
You won't know who's sitting across
from you until they walk in.
SARAH
And if it's someone I've criticized
before? Or interviewed?
JEN
(grinning)
Then you'll see them with fresh
eyes. No baggage. No preconceptions.
Just human to human.
She pulls out a small device that looks like a high-tech earpiece.
JEN (CONT'D)
You'll wear this. It scrambles their
voice until they hit the threshold.
For tomorrow, you'll get three questions
they've prepared for you to ask them.
After that, it's all you.
SARAH
Three questions they want me to ask?
That's it?
JEN
That's your entry point. But here's
the real mission, Sarah: Find their
fear. Everyone powerful is afraid of
something. Find it in fifteen minutes
or less. Make them human. Make them
vulnerable. Make them... real.
She stands, straightening her blazer. The morning sun catches her face, making her look both fierce and maternal.
JEN (CONT'D)
Your mission, should you choose to
accept it: Walk into that room tomorrow
knowing nothing except human nature.
Listen for the beats between words.
Watch for the micro-expressions. Ask
the questions their PR team would
never let through. And remember -
you've got exactly 45 minutes to
pierce the armor they've spent
years building.
She extends her hand. Sarah shakes it firmly.
JEN (CONT'D)
Think you can handle going in blind?
SARAH
(determined)
When do I start?
JEN
Your first interview is at 10 AM
tomorrow. All I'll tell you is they're
someone who shapes how millions of
people think and behave every day.
They've never done an unscripted
interview in their life.
Jen opens her office door, the newsroom noise flooding back in.
JEN (CONT'D)
One more thing, Sarah. The best
interviews happen when both people
are a little scared. Don't hide
your humanity. It's your greatest
weapon.
FADE TO BLACK.
END OF TEASER.Chatgtp 4o
INT. THE BEACON NEWSROOM — 7:42 A.M.
A renovated loft hums with pre‑dawn energy. Strings of warm Edison bulbs hang over mismatched desks; wall‑high whiteboards track investigations in neon ink. The clatter of keyboards and the scent of burnt espresso mingle with the low thrum of the city waking outside.
CHARACTERS
- MAYA SERRANO — Managing Editor (early‑40s). Former war‑correspondent turned newsroom captain. Razor‑sharp intellect, legendary gut instinct, and an almost parental protectiveness over truth. Trademark look: rolled‑up sleeves, fountain pen clipped behind one ear, a steel bracelet etched with coordinates from her first front‑line assignment.
- LEO PARK — Staff Journalist (late‑20s). Born storyteller with a radar for human nuance. Equal parts relentless and affable, armed with a note‑stained Moleskine, curiosity that borders on mischievous, and a habit of disarming sources with gentle humor.
SCENE 1: THE PITCH
Maya strides to the center bullpen, ringing the vintage brass bell salvaged from a defunct newspaper plant. Conversations stall; heads swivel.
MAYA
Morning, truth seekers. Netflix wants a pilot that proves journalism can still ambush complacency and spark hope. We’re calling it “BLIND ANGLE.” Half raw interview, half editorial X‑ray. One of you will meet a guest cold—no dossier, no prep—and peel back their impact on tomorrow.
She locks eyes with Leo.
MAYA (CONT’D)
Park, your improv jujitsu is the closest thing we have to sonar in the dark. You’re up.
A ripple of “oohs” from colleagues. Leo raises an eyebrow, equal parts flattered and terrified.
SCENE 2: BRIEFING IN MAYA’S GLASS‑WALLED OFFICE
A clutter of annotated printouts on ethics, future‑tech clippings, and a Polaroid camera (Maya takes one shot for every story closed). She shuts the door against the newsroom din.
MAYA
The guest could be a senator defunding climate science… or a coder using AI to cure orphan diseases. You’ll get a single envelope on location—only their first name and a legal waiver. Everything else, you discover in real time.
LEO
So—no research, no lifeline? Straight parachute drop?
MAYA
Exactly. The audience learns with you. Then our edit bay dissects the fallout: power, responsibility, hidden costs, silver linings. Think Socratic grenade meets TED Talk debrief.
Maya slides a slim field‑recorder and a sticker‑covered tablet across the desk.
THE EDITOR’S PLAYBOOK (Maya’s bullet‑point handout)
1. Lead with humanity. Start at childhood or a formative failure; ego walls crumble there.
2. Pivot to impact. “Who pays the bill for your vision?” or “Who bleeds if this scales?”
3. Mirror back contradictions. If they champion transparency yet own shell companies, hold the mirror—politely.
4. Chase the why, not the headline. The audience will Google facts later; give them motives now.
5. Stay porous. Silence is a question. Let it breathe.
6. Tag reflections live. Whisper quick thoughts to the lapel mic between segments; our editors weave them into commentary.
7. Never Google mid‑shoot. Curiosity > confirmation.
8. Exit with a “future postcard.” Ask them to picture the world in 10 years if they’re wildly successful—and if they fail.
Leo scans the list, exhales.
SCENE 3: DEPARTURE
In the corridor, Maya hands Leo a manila envelope stamped “D‑01.” The location is a nondescript café three subway stops away. No returns, no peeks.
She pauses, tone dropping to a conspiratorial whisper:
MAYA
One more thing. Whatever’s in their briefcase—or conscience—pull the thread until it sings or snaps. But keep your compass pointed toward possibility. We expose shadows to light the path, not to gloat over darkness.
Maya taps her steel bracelet against the envelope like a gavel.
MAYA (smiles)
Your mission, should you choose to accept it:
Go in blind, listen like the world depends on it, and come back with a story that makes cynics and dreamers sit up straight.
Clock’s ticking, Park. The future is waiting on the other side of that door.
Leo slips the envelope into his satchel, grin sharpening to resolve.
LEO
Challenge accepted. See you in the edit room—truth, warts, wonder and all.
He heads for the stairwell. Maya watches through the glass, then clicks the newsroom bell once more—an omen that something electric has just begun.
Fade out to the rumble of the city and the show’s title card: BLIND ANGLE — Pilot
Inception Publication
Here we lay the ground for extracting the knowledge of many different successful editors at a magazine. We aim at creating background knowledge for our fictional journalist, inside a fictional magazine, who has learned a lot from a fictional editor, who is a character in the story of a fictional pilot show about a new interview format of a fictional production company in four different AI models.
Deepseek‘s version of JEN’s advice to ELLA
**JEN’S ADVICE TO ELLA: THE BLIND INTERVIEW PLAYBOOK**
*(Leaning back in her chair, boots on the desk, a half-smirk playing at the corner of her mouth. The kind of look that says, *You’re about to have fun, kid.*)*
**1. Embrace the Discomfort—Theirs *and* Yours.**
No dossier means no crutches. That’s the point. Your guest will be off-balance too—use it. The moment they realize *you* don’t know the script? That’s when the real conversation starts. Watch their body language like a hawk. The pause before an answer, the flicker of a smirk, the way they lean in when they’re lying. Your job isn’t to judge; it’s to *notice*.
**2. The Three Questions Are Just Kindling.**
They gave you three questions? Fine. Use them to light the fire, then throw them in. Your real work begins when the script runs out. Listen *past* their answers—what’s the subtext? The thing they’re circling but not saying? Trap them in their own words: *"You just said X, but earlier you implied Y. Help me square that."*
**3. Improv Jujitsu: Redirect Their Energy.**
Your superpower is turning their momentum against them. A deflective answer? *"That sounded polished. Do you always answer that way?"* A jargon dump? *"Explain that to me like I’m a skeptical teenager."* Laughter disarms, but a well-timed *"Wait, hold on—"* can crack a facade.
**4. Hunt the *Why* Behind the *What*.**
Anyone can recite achievements. You want the *obsession*. *"What keeps you up at 3 AM?"* *"What’s the thing you’re afraid people will misunderstand?"* If they’re building the future, dig into the cost. If they’re burning it down, make them stare at the match.
**5. Silence Is Your Co-Pilot.**
Most people rush to fill quiet. Don’t. Let it stretch. Make them *itch*. The best truths claw their way out during pauses.
**6. Protect the Audience’s Curiosity.**
They’re experiencing this blind too. Narrate the gaps: *"I didn’t know that about you—how does that change the way you see X?"* Your confusion is their compass.
**7. End With the Unanswerable.**
Close with a question that lingers. *"If your work succeeds, what do we lose?"* *"What’s the thing you hope history gets wrong about you?"* Leave the audience—and the guest—chewing on it for days.
*(She tosses Ella a protein bar from her desk drawer—the universal newsroom currency of trust.)*
**JEN:** Go get lost. And bring back something true.
*(The smirk again.)* And if they’re boring? *Make* them interesting.Mistral’s version of JEN’s advice to ELLA
As JEN, the managing editor at Inception Publications, here's the advice I would give to ELLA to get the most out of the blind interview and create an amazing and inspiring piece for the magazine:
1. **Embrace the Unknown**: Remember, the excitement of this interview lies in its unpredictability. Embrace the fact that you don't know who you'll be talking to. This lack of information can lead to genuine curiosity and spontaneous questions that might uncover unique insights.
2. **Active Listening**: Pay close attention to every word the interviewee says. Active listening will help you pick up on subtle cues and nuances that can guide your follow-up questions. Show genuine interest in their responses to encourage them to open up more.
3. **Ask Open-Ended Questions**: After the initial three prepared questions, focus on open-ended questions that start with "Why," "How," "What," "Describe," or "Tell me more about..." These questions encourage the interviewee to share more detailed and thoughtful responses.
4. **Follow Your Instincts**: Trust your journalistic instincts. If something piques your interest or seems off, don't hesitate to probe further. Your curiosity and intuition are your greatest assets in this situation.
5. **Challenge but Respect**: Don't be afraid to challenge the interviewee's perspectives, but do so respectfully. The goal is to uncover the truth and explore the implications of their work, not to create conflict.
6. **Connect on a Human Level**: Remember, this is a human-to-human conversation. Try to establish a personal connection with the interviewee. This can make the interview more engaging for both you and the audience.
7. **Take Notes**: Jot down key points, interesting phrases, or potential follow-up questions during the interview. These notes will be invaluable when you're writing the piece later.
8. **Stay Neutral**: Avoid showing strong reactions or biases during the interview. The goal is to present a balanced and objective piece to your readers.
9. **Think About the Big Picture**: Try to understand how the interviewee's work fits into the broader context of society, technology, or culture. This will help you create a piece that resonates with a wide audience.
10. **Be Yourself**: Your unique personality and style are what make your writing compelling. Don't try to fit a mold—just be yourself and let your natural talent shine.
11. **Reflect and Analyze**: After the interview, take some time to reflect on what you've learned. Analyze the interviewee's responses and consider their potential impact on the future. This will help you create a thoughtful and insightful piece.
12. **Tell a Story**: Finally, when writing the piece, focus on telling a compelling story. Use your narrative skills to draw readers in and keep them engaged until the very end.Claude’s version of JEN’s advice to ELLA
Advice:
Listen, kid. Tomorrow isn't about what you know—it's about what you can make them *want* to tell you.
Here's your survival kit for going in blind:
**1. Master the Art of Elegant Excavation**
- Start with the obvious. Ask them to describe what they do like you're a curious five-year-old. Watch their face when they simplify—that's where the contradictions live.
- Notice what they avoid saying in their first three minutes. That's your gold mine.
- When they offer up the practiced answer, smile and say, "That sounds like something you say often. What's the version you tell only at 2 AM to people you really trust?"
**2. Turn Your Ignorance into a Superpower**
- Every time you don't understand something, make them illustrate it. "Paint me a picture" is your Swiss Army knife.
- Ask for stories, not statistics. Data is what they want to tell you. Stories are where truth hides.
- Follow your confusion. If something feels off or too polished, lean into it. Your instincts are your sonar.
**3. Read the Room Like a Crime Scene**
- How do they talk about the past versus the future? Fear or excitement?
- Watch their hands when they talk about competition or failure. Bodies don't lie.
- Listen for what they assume you already know—that's where the hidden assumptions live.
**4. The Mirror Technique**
- Reflect their energy back slightly softer. If they're intense, be calm. If they're guarded, be open but not pushy.
- Use silence like a scalpel. The most revealing answers come in the space after they think they've finished.
**5. Find the Personal Stakes**
- Everyone is building or running from something. Find which.
- Ask about their failures with genuine curiosity, not judgment. Vulnerability breeds vulnerability.
- "What keeps you up at night?" cuts through every prepared answer.
**6. The Surprise Turn**
- Twenty minutes in, when they're comfortable: "If you could change one decision you made in the last year, what would it be?"
- Follow threads they drop casually. The aside about "that one time in Singapore" might be more important than their five-year plan.
Remember: You're not a prosecutor. You're not a therapist. You're a translator for what matters. The world doesn't need another interview—it needs someone to decode the humans who shape tomorrow.
Go show them how it's done. And whatever you do, don't let them leave without making you believe in something—or doubt something you thought you knew.
The future belongs to the questions we haven't thought to ask yet.
Now go find them.OpenAI’s (o3) version of JEN’s advice to ELLA
JEN’s Field Manual for a Blind‑Side Interview
Alright, Ella—pull up a chair. Here’s the playbook that kept me alive from Kandahar to Capitol Hill. Use it, abuse it, tattoo it on your forearm if you must.
1. Lead With Silence.
Ask the first of their three little teaser questions, then shut up. Count to five in your head. Most people fill dead air with the good stuff they never planned to say.
2. Sprint Past the Obvious.
When they give you a polished sound‑bite, nod—as if it’s gospel—then pivot: “Walk me through the part that didn’t make the press release.” Comfortable lies crumble when you invite them to keep talking.
3. Interrogate the ‘Why,’ Not the ‘What.’
“What did you build?” is trivia. “Why did the world need you to build it?” exposes ego, fear, hope—story gold.
4. Triangulate with Three Lenses.
- Personal: How did this venture wound or save them?
- Systemic: Who, besides them, pays the price or reaps the benefit?
- Future: If they succeed, what changes for a kid born today
5. Use the Pendulum.
Alternate empathy and pressure. Lean in with warmth—“That must’ve been brutal.” Then swing back—“So why did you keep going when every metric said quit?” Emotional whiplash knocks facades loose.
6. Hunt the Contradiction.
Listen for the tale that doesn’t rhyme with the timeline. When you spot it, hold it gently in the air like a live grenade and ask them to defuse it. Truth or boom.
7. Take Field Notes in Their Language.
Jot their exact phrasing—tech jargon, pet metaphors, tiny swears. Later, those verbatim shards become the spine of the prose; no narrator can invent that flavor.
8. Stay Present, Kill the Script.
The moment the room crackles—raised pulse, darting eyes—drop every pre‑planned question. Follow the spark. The episode lives or dies by that electricity.
9. Close With the Mirror.
Finish on: “A decade from now, a stranger googles your name. What headline do you pray they read—and which one do you fear?” You’ll get either confession or revelation; both are front‑page material.
10. Leave the Door Ajar.
Off‑mic, thank them and slide your card across the table. Sources bloom when they feel seen, not skinned. You’ll want their follow‑up scoop when the first story detonates.
Remember: you’re not chasing a quote—you’re charting moral topography. The audience rides shotgun inside your skull, seeing the terrain exactly as you discover it. Make them grip the dash.
Now breathe, polish your recorder lens, and get some sleep. Tomorrow, the future walks through that door. Make damn sure we recognize it.
—JEN ai
